Container



H. W. JONES Feb. 15, 1955 CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 23, 1951INVENTOR Haly Jones Y/fiw dfif ATTORNEYS 1955 H. w. JONES v 2,702,142

CONTAINER Filed Nov. 25, 1951 2 Sheets -Sheet 2 1 N VENTOR Harry JonesATTORNEfi United States Patent CONTAINER Jones, Knoxville, Tenn.,Knoxville, Tenn.,

assignor to Dempster 1 Brothers, Inc.,

nessee Application November 23, 1951, Serial No. 257,836 8 Claims. (Cl.2241-34) This invention relates to improvements in containers, and moreparticularly to the type of containers used for trash, garbage, andother refuse.

It has been customary to handle refuse containers with transporting anddumping equipment of the types set forth in the patents of George R.Dempster, No. 2,281,183, April 28, 1942, and No. 2,369,722, February 20,1945, as examples of such equipment. Such containers customarily arefilled while sitting on the ground or on the floor, street,etc., andthereafter may be picked up by the transporting and dumping equipment ona motor vehicle, on which the container may be transported to the pointof dumping, the contents discharged, and returned or hauled to the pointof re-use. Frequently, a considerable quantity of liquid may be receivedin the container, especially when hauling garbage and other materials,but when the container has a drop bottom as in Patent No. 2,369,722, andis tilted forward on the vehicle in its transport position, the liquidspills out. Furthermore, some of the liquid may leak out at the point offilling and contaminate the spot around the container so as to be highlyob jectionable in service.

One object of this invention is to retain a considerable quantity ofliquid within the container while sitting in its position to be filled,and then later, when the container is raised and tilted forward on thetransporting equipment in its carrying position, the liquid is retainedin the container without danger of leaking out.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container adapted foruse with transporting and dumping equipment, which may be filled whensitting on the ground or on a floor surface, and may be dumped todischarge the contents thereof in a practical manner by such anequipment and yet is so constructed as to retain a considerable quantityof liquid in the container without loss by leaking out either during thesetting of the container in its filling position or duringtransportation to the point of dumping.

Still another object of the invention is to improve the construction ofcontainers of the character described to provide for the effectiveclosing of an open side to retain the contents in the container, and yetwill allow ready dumping thereof by tipping the container without thenecessity for turning it over in an upside down position. Still anotherobject of the invention is to improve the door structure and latch meanstherefor of a container, to provide an appreciable opening for thedischarge of the contents and yet may be retained securely in closedposition for confining the contents in the container. I

These objects may be accomplished according to one embodiment of theinvention by constructing a container with a closed bottom, providedwith a sump therein, and which bottom is rigid with the side and endwalls but has one side substantially open. Doors are provided for thelatter side for effectively closing said opening to confine the materialin the container, and yet may be released readily for discharge of thecontents, for which purpose the doors fold back upon themselves toexpose substantially the entire open side of the container. When closed,the doors are effectively latched to confine the contents without dangerof discharge except when desired. Additional doors may be provided ifdesired in the top and ends of the container.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation ing equipment showing the container in placethereon in transport position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view ing position;

Fig. 2a is a similar view of the container showing a wider opening door;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the container removed and with one ofthe doors open;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing additional doors in open position; i

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the side doors open;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation thereof; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation thereof.

The invention is shown as applied to transporting and dumping equipmentof the character generally represented in the Dempster Patent No.2,369,722, February 20, 1945, merely as an example of the type ofequipment in connection with which it may be used.

This transporting and dumping equipment includes a motor vehicle chassisgenerally designated by the numeral 1, upon which is mounted a hoistingunit, comprising a sub-frame 2 having a container rest generallyindicated at 3 mounted thereon and inclined forwardly of the motorvehicle. Boom arms are shown at 4, pivotally mounted at 5 at theirforward ends to the sub-frame 2 and adapted to be raised and lowered bya hydraulic hoist 6.-

A skit frame is shown at 7 mounted on the sub-frame 2 for bodilymovement lengthwise relative thereto between the positions shown inFigs. 1 and 2. Suitable means is provided for moving the skid frame 7forward and rearward of the chassis, as described more fully in theDempster patents referred to above. The free ends of the boom arms 4support the container by flexible devices such as chains 8, attached tothe boom arms at 9 to raise and lower the container to and from itsdumping position. The skid frame 7 is also provided with a dumping hook,generally designated at 10, to be engaged for dumping the container inthe position shown in Fig. 2.

The foregoing transporting and dumping equipment, generally as describedabove, is set forth and disclosed more fully in the Dempster patentsreferred to, particularly No. 2,369,722.

The container illustrated as an embodiment of this invention, for usewith the transporting and dumping equipment, is shown diagrammaticallyin Figs. 1 and 2, and more fully in Figs. 3 to 7 This container isconstructed preferably of sheet metal of relatively heavy gauge,according to the size and capacity of the container and the material tobe contained therein, but is substantially of rigid unitary structure.End walls are shown at 11; a side wall at 12; and a bottom at 13, allbeing formed of suitable steel plates or the like, rigidly connectedtogether as by welding, or other fastening means. The bottom 13 isprovided with an upwardly inclined portion 14 at the edge thereofopposite from the side wall 12, preferably having a reinforced lipgenerally indicated at 15, and coacting with the end and side walls 11and 12 to form a closed sump in the bottom of the container having aliquid level generally indicated at L" in Figs. 1 and 6 at the free edgeof the lip 15. In the example illustrated, a top wall is shown at 16,although the top of the container may be partially or entirely open, asdesired.

The side wall 12 is provided with a vertical indentation 17 therein,adapted to receive within the confines thereof a bail 18, shown aspivoted at 19 to the bottom 13 of the container. The upper end of thebail 18 is adapted to engage the hook 10, as shown in Fig. 2, tofacilitate dumping of the container.

Lifting pins are shown at 20 on the respective end walls of thecontainer, for detachably engaging the free ends of the chains 8 to liftthe container from its filling position on the ground, or other surface,onto the skidway 7 and to hold the container in dumping position, aswell as for handling the container generally. The chains 8 extend fromthe lifting pins over deflectors 21,

showing the container in dump- Patented Feb. 15, 1955 of a transportingand dumpsecured to the ends 11 of the container at points above thelifting pins 20 and adjacent the side wall 12 so as to ensure of propersupport for the container by the chains.

The end walls 11 are shown as provided with doors 22 hinged thereto foropening and closing action, and additional doors may be provided in thetop 16, as indicated generally at 23. These doors 22 and 23 are shown ashinged and adapted to be latched in closed positions by suitablelatching means.

The open side of the container opposite from the side wall 12 is adaptedto be closed by a pair of coacting doors, generally indicated at 24 and25. The door 24 is hinged on a rod 26 to the body of the container forswinging movement to a raised position, as shown in Fig. 5, andpreferably has suitable balancing springs 27 connected therewith andtending normally to move the door 24 to its open position when released.The door 25 is hinged on a rod 28 to the free edge of the door 24, so asto be free for swinging movement either to the open position shown inFig. 4, or with the door 24 to the open position shown in Fig. 5.Springs are shown also at 29 on the hinge rod 28, normally tendingpreferably to move the door 25 to its open position with respect to thedoor 24.

Suitable latch means is provided for securing the doors in their closedpositions, either at one or both opposite ends of the container, as maybe desired. The hinge rod 28 is shown as extended beyond the end of thecontainer,

and is provided with a hook catch thereon, indicated generally at 30, inposition to engage a pin 31 projecting outwardly from the adjacent endwall 11 of the container. A handle 32' is shown attached to the hingerod 28 to turn the latter and move the catch or catches 30 to theirreleased positions. One or more springs 33 are connected with the hingerod 28, normally tending to rotate the latter to move the catches totheir engaged positions with the pins 31. i

A latch rod 34 is journaled on the free edge portion of the door 25,extending lengthwise thereof, and is provided with catches or engaginghooks 35 on one or both opposite ends thereof, preferably both ends, toengage pins 36 projecting outwardly from the end walls 11 of thecontainer. One or more springs 37, connected with the rod 34, tend torotate the latter in a direction to cause engagement of the hooks 35with the pins 36. A handle 38 on the rod 34 may be manipulated to turnthe rod and release the catches 35. A lock may be provided for eachcatch 35, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 6, particularly, and designated at39. This lock is in the form of, a bar pivoted at 40 on the end wall 11of the container in posi- I tion to be moved into engagement with thetop face of the catch 35 in its engaged position with the pin 36 toprevent accidental separation therefrom, and yet may be released whendesired.

Upon disengagement of the catch or catches 35 from the pins 36, the door25 may be moved to its open position, as shown in Fig. 4, relative tothe door 24, automatically if spring loaded by the action of the springs29. Latches are shown at 41 on the door 24 in position to be turned tothe dotted line position shown in Fig 7, to engage over the free edge ofthe door 25, in open position, as in Fig. 4, and hold this door in itsopen position.

Then, upon disengagement of the catches 30 from the pins '31, the doors24 and. 25 will swing on the hinge rod 26 to the open positions shown inFigs. 2 and 5, for dumping the contents, thus opening the entire side ofthe container if required. although it will be evident that thecontainer may be dumped with only the door 25 open, as in Fig. 4,especially where the contents are substantially entirely liquid, or thecontainer is only partially filled.

Torsion springs of substantial tension may be used at 27 sufficient tomove the doors 24 and 25 to wide open positions as illustrated in Fig.2a. This will avoid any tendency of the doors to impede dumping of thecontainer.

It will be evident that the sump provided in the bottom of the containerwill contain therein a substantial quantity of liquid, not only duringfilling of the container when it is at rest on the ground. but also whenit is raised and tilted forward on the skid frame in carrying position,thereby transporting a substantial quantity of liquid material withoutspillingthe liquid during transportation to,

wet and contaminate the street.

The hauling and dumping of the container will be evident from Figs. land 2, and are set forth more fully in the. Demp'ster patents referredto above. It will be evident, however, from Fig. 2 that the type ofcontainer herein set forth provides for dumping the contents preferablyaway from the rear of the truck, which means that the truck could backclose to a bank or other edge and dump over it without the necessity forgetting too close so as to Create a danger or hazard. This is madepossible by the construction of the container as well as the use of anL-shaped bail' 18, which is retained against a stop on the skid frame.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in oneembodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim: I

l. A container of the character described, comprising spaced end walls.a side wall rigidly fixed to the end walls, said container having a sidethereof opposite said side wall substantially open, a closed bottomfixed at the periphery thereof to said side wall and end walls and rigidtherewith, said bottom having an upturned edge toward the open side ofthe container and forming a sump in the bottom of the container, a pairof interconnected doors hinged to said container at the open sidethereof substantially closing said open side in sealing relation withthe edges of the end walls and with the upturned edge of the bottom andmovable for pouring the contents from the container, spring meansconnected with the doors normally tending to move the doors to openpositions, each of the doors having a rod mounted thereon and projectingbeyond an end thereof, a latch mounted on each rod. and keeper meansmounted on one of the end walls in position to be engaged by the latchfor locking the doors in closed positions.

2. A container of the character described, comprising upstanding wallsand a bottom, said container having an opening at one side thereof, apair of upper and lower interconnected doors hinged together at adjacentU edges on a hinge rod, means hinging the upper edge of the upper doorto the container for folding movement of the doors upon each other andto an open position with respect to the container, latches carried bythe doors, and keeper means mounted on the container in position to beengaged by the latches to hold the doors in closed positions.

3. A container of the character described, comprising upstanding wallsand a bottom, said container having one side thereof substantially open,a pair of upper and lower interconnected doors having a hinge rodconnecting the doors together, hinge means at the upper edge of theupper door connecting the doors with the container, spring meansnormally tending to move the doors to open positions, latches carried bythe respective doors, and keepers on the container in position to beengaged by the latches to secure the doors in closed positions.

4. A container of the character described, comprising spaced end walls,a side wall rigidly fixed to the end walls, said container having a sidethereof opposite said side wall substantially open, a bottom, a pair ofinterconnected doors hinged to said container at the open side thereofsubstantially closing said open side in sealing relation with the edgesof the end walls and with the bottom and movable for pouring thecontents from the container, spring means connected with the doorsnormally tending to move the doors to open positions, each of the doorshaving a rod mounted thereon and projecting beyond an end thereof, alatch mounted on each rod, and keeper means mounted on one of the endwalls in position to be engaged by the latch for locking the doors inclosed positions.

5. A container of the character described comprising an upright backwall and upright end walls rigidly secured together, said containerhaving the side thereof opposite the back wall substantially openthroughout the height of the container, and a closed horizontal bottomrigid with said back wall and ends and substantially flat forming asupport upon which the container may rest in upright position, saidbottom having an upwardly inclined portion extending in an obliqueposition relative to the bottom to the open side of the containerandforming a pouring lip therefor and cooperating to form .a sump in thebottom of the container, upper and lower doors hinged together about asubstantially horizontal axis and the upper door being hinged to thecontainer at the upper edge portion thereof substantially to close saidopen side ofthe container and to be moved to an open position fordischarge of the contents from the container, and sepsarate latch meansfor the respective doors connected with an end wall of the container.

6. A container of the character described, comprising spaced end walls,a side wall rigidly fixed to the end walls,

2,702,142.-Harry W. J ones, Knoxville,

15, 1955. Disclaimer filed. Feb.

6 upper door being hinged to the container at the upper edge portionthereof, said doors being arranged substantially to close said open sideof the container and to be moved to an open position for discharge ofthe contents said container having a side thereof opposite said sidefrom the container, means for securing the doors in closed wallsubstantially open, a bottom, a pair of interconpositions includingseparate latch means connecting the nected doors hinged to saidcontainer at the open ide lower portion of the lower door with therespective end thereof substantially closin said open side and movablewalls of the container, and resilient means connected with for pouringthe contents from the container, each of the the last-mentioned door,normally tending to mnve d doors having a rod mounted thereon andprojecting be- 1 door to an open position relative to the other coactingyond an end thereof, a latch mounted on each rod, and door when thelatch means is released. keeper means mounted on one of the end walls inposition 30 be engaged by the latch for locking the doors in ReferencesCited in the file of this patent close positions.

7. A container of the character described comprising 15 UNITED STATESPATENTS an upright back wall and upright end Walls rigidly secured431,318 Behrman a- July 1, 1890 together, said container having the sidethereof oppo- 554,474 Bradley Feb. 11, 1896 site the back-wallsubstantially open throughout the height 560,140 Lynn May 12, 1896 ofthe container, and a closed horizontal bottom rigid with 736,714 GendronAug. 18, 1903 said back wall and ends and substantially fiat forming a830,073 Hovas Sept. 4, 1906 support upon which the container may rest inupright 972,943 Urban position, upper and lower doors hinged togetherabout 21 1,229,085 Insko June 5, 1917 substantially horizontal axis andthe upper door being 1,376,733 Sanderson May 3, 1921 hinged to thecontainer at the upper edge portion thereof 1,450,363 Glenn Apr. 3, 1923substantially to close said open side of the container and 25 1,475,567Dall Nov. 27, 1923 to be moved to an open position for discharge of thecon- 1,715,538 Dean June 4, 1929 tents from the container, and separatelatch means for 1,720,020 Vance July 9, 1929 the respective doorsconnected with an end wall of the 2,016,964 Huffman Oct. 5, 1935container. 2,022,342 Drood Nov. 26, 1935 8. A container of the characterdescribed comprising an 2,036,115 Branch Mar. 31, 1936 upright back walland upright end walls rigidly secured 2,120,269 Sloan June 14, 1938together, said container having'the side thereof opposite 2,283,256 HuskMay 19, 1942 the back wall open throughout a substantial portion of2,289,024 Lambert July 7, 1942 the height of the container, and a closedhorizontal bot- 2,369,722 Dempster Feb. 20, 1945 tam Eigid with saidback wall antcll efiidsl and substantially 2,501,743 Schellentrager Mar.28, 1950 at orming a support upon w ie t e container may rest in uprightposition, upper and lower doors hinged FOREIGN PATENTS together about asubstantially horizontal axis and the 520,471 Great Britain Apr. 24,1940 Disclaimer Tenn. Consumes. Patent dated Feb.

241, 1959, by the assignee, Dempster enters this disclaimer to claim 8of said patent.

